Monday, 9 March 2015

Andy and I ventured over to Great Yarmouth the other day for our first outing of 2015, entertaining the diners at the wonderful Quayside Plaza. We thought we might be a little rusty after the winter break but we needn't have worried. And the promise of a hearty meal at the end of the evening kept us alert and on track. We're back there in May but meanwhile we have a few corporate events to keep us busy.

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

We played the Magdalen Street Festival in Norwich on Saturday. The courtyard of the King of Hearts doesn't get much sun in October and we froze. I had chosen my T-shirt with care but didn't even take my jacket off. Nor did Cesar. Andy wisely kept his hat on. Or perhaps unwisely - opinion is divided. But a little hot jazz and klezmer goes down well in Norfolk and I like to think our audience was somewhat warmer for the music we played.

Thanks to Polly for accepting the offer of my camera and taking the pictures.

Monday, 8 October 2012

Well it's a busy time for Eastern Straynotes. On Saturday we had our first video shoot and hope to get something onto Youtube very soon. That was followed by a private party in the evening where we went down rather well, even if I say so myself. We were more or less acoustic for that with just Andy's vocals given a little boost.

This evening I'll meet the filmmaker to select the takes we'll go on and use. Then, tomorrow afternoon, I'm off to Radio Norfolk to be interviewed in relation to our next public performance. Also there will be singer-songwriter James Frost who has programmed the King of Hearts stage in the courtyard of the eponymous café. James is also playing on that stage. If you tune into Radio Norfolk at around 3.30 tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 9th October) you'll probably hear us both.

And if you make it Magdalen Street on Saturday, look out for Eastern Straynotes at the King of Hearts at 11am. You know if it's us playing because our infectious klezmer and swing jazz will make it impossible to stand still!

Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Verbal compliments everyday fare for Eastern Straynotes but, sadly, written praise is rarer. So it was lovely to receive this card from Denise Denis who runs a care home for the elderly in Norfolk. The band went to play some jazz for the residents there.

It reads: "Thank you again for the lovely concert on Sunday morning - valiant in view of the weather! - everyone really enjoyed your music."

Thursday, 23 August 2012

Thanks to go Molly for this lovely picture of the bride and groom dancing in the Cathedral Close with with Eastern Straynotes and the spire of Norwich Cathedral in the background. It really was a beautiful evening, certainly the warmest of the year, and this was the perfect way to spend it.

The happy couple are moving to Honeysuckle Rose - their choice for the first dance of the evening. It wasn't long before others joined them as the band played one of their hottest, most infectious jazz and klezmer sets ever.

Thursday, 19 July 2012

Andy and I will be standing in for our friend Hugh at Pinocchio's in Norwich on Monday evening (23rd July 2012). Unplugged and completely acoustic. Our unique blend of jazz and klezmer kicks off at 7.30pm.